Locomotive steam pipe arrangement and support therefor



LOCOMOTIVE STEAM PIPE ARRANGEMENT AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed April 11, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR TH Mns E. HAEEEICK dz.

Dec. 24, 1940- T. E. HERRICK, JR 2,226,493

LOCOMOTIVE STEAM PIPE ARRANGEMENT AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed A ril 11, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR THOMAS E. HEEEICK dz.

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES LOCOMOTIVE STEAM PIPE ARRANGEMENT AND SIUPPORT THEREFOR Thomas E. Herrick, Jr., Lansdowne, Pa. Application April, 11, 1939, SerialNo. 267,254

5 Claims.

This invention relates generally to articulated locomotives and more particularly to an improved arrangement for supporting the steam pipes adjacent the forward pair of cylinders.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved combination whereby certain of the steam pipes may be supported in a simple, compact and rugged manner by the forward cylinder structure so as to avoid complications and other difficulties in the design and casting of the cylinder structure such as have heretofore been encountered. A further object is to provide an improved arrangement for supporting the steam supply pipes on the forward cylinder structure in a manner that is economical in construction, operation and maintenance and is highly efiicient in conducting steam to the cylinders as well as being readily accessible for inspection and repair.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the forward portion of a locomotive embodying my improved piping arrangement;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken substantially on. the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the forward pair of cylinders shown in Fig. l with parts broken away; and

Fig. 4. is a longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 3.

In the drawings I have shown a conventional type of articulated locomotive having a .boiler I rigidly mounted upon any usual frame of a rear power unit 2 and flexibly mounted upon the frame of a forward power unit 3, these units being provided respectively with forward and rear pairs of cylinders 5 and 4. For purposes of illustrating the application of my invention, I have shown one specific form of piping arrangement, among others that might be employed, wherein steam is conducted from the forward end of the boiler rearwardly along each side thereof through a pair of longitudinal pipes 6, one on each side of the boiler, to the rear cylinders and thence by cross-over pipe I to a forwardly extending longitudinal central supply pipe 8 suitably pivotally connected to the rear cylinder structure 4 and rigidly connected at its forward end to the forward cylinder structure 5. My particular improvement relates to an improved arrangement for supporting the forward end of pipe 8 and to this end the forward cylinder structure, Fig. 4, has a saddle with a rear stretcher wall 9 suitably connecting the pair of cylinders 5. This rear L stretcher Wallis cast integrally with any other supporting wall structure Hi. The rear wall 9 is provided specifically with a suitable opening H to receive a tongue or boss 12 of a T pipe connection l3, the opening I l and boss [2 comprising complementary inter-engaging supporting members. The horizontal leg of this T has the longitudinal pipe 8 rigidly secured thereto by welding or other suitable means while the boss I2 of the connection is also welded or otherwise suitably secured to the stretcher wall 9. The T structure I3 is also provided as shown in Fig. 2 with a pair of laterally extending legs [5 and I6 of somewhat V-form adapted to be connected through bolted flanges or other means to lateral supply pipes I1 and 18 connected respectively to the valve chests l9 and 20 of the forward pair of cylinders and located rearwardly of the saddle thereof.

The foregoing arrangement insures not only a highly sturdy and compact arrangement for supporting the forward end of the longitudinal pipe 8 and the lateral pipes I1 and I8, but also allows this central pipe and T structure to conveniently and effectively accommodate the frame 2|, Fig. 2 of the forward power unit and to allow the exhaust pipe 22 from the forward pair of cylinders to have ample space for its usual swinging connection to the smoke box of the boiler. The details of construction of this exhaust pipe and its swivel connection 23, Fig. 3, to the cored exhaust passages 24 in the cylinder structure do not form a part of my present invention. However, the disclosure of these various members does illustrate the adaptability of my improved arrangement for supporting the longitudinal pipe 8 and its connection with the lateral pipes I1 and I8.

From the foregoing disclosure it is seen that I have provided an extremely simple, rugged, compact and effective piping and supporting arnangement for the steam supply pipes adjacent the forward cylinders and which is economical in construction, operation and maintenance and is readily accessible for inspection and repair.

It will of course be understood that various changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of, the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

, I claim:

1. A steam pipe arrangement for a locomotive having forward and rear cylinder structures each provided with valve chests and external steam supply inlets therefor, the forward cylinder structure being provided with a cylinder saddle and a pair of cylinders to which steam is supplied to the valve chest inlets thereof through a pipe extending forwardly from the rear cylinder structure substantially along the longitudinal central axis of the locomotive and thence through a pair of branched upwardly inclined lateral pipes comprising, in combination a T-connection between said longitudinal pipe and said lateral pipes, and means for supporting said T by said forward cylinder structure at a point rearwa-rdly and. centrally thereof, said branched pipes having portions extending laterally with an upward inclination from said T to points rearwardly of and adjacent to the steam chests of the forward cylinder structure thereby being disposed entirely externally of and behind the forward cylinder structure and thence curving forwardly for direct external connection to said steam chest inlets of the forward cylinder structure whereby said branched pipes are entirely external of and separate from said forward cylinder structure.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said T-connection includes a horizontal leg and laterally extending V legs located behind the rear portion of the cylinder structure.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said T-connection includes inter-engaging supporting elements formed respectively on said connection and on the rear portion of said cylinder structure.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said T-connection includes a horizontal leg and laterally extending V legs located behind the rear portion of said cylinder structure, and said supporting means includes complementary supporting elements formed respectively on the cylinder structure and on said connection.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said T-connection has a forwardly projecting boss and said cylinder structure has a recess in which said boss is received.

THOMAS E. HERRICK, JR. 

